2009 low mileage LX price???

[kolyo]

Hi all,
I am from the 100-series crowd, but tempted to move up the social ladder . Have the chance to buy here in Bulgaria a clean, no accident, one owner, regularly maintained late 2009 LX with 90K on the odo. The asking price is $42000. The seller bought the truck brand new from a dealer in the US in 2010, and payed extra $7000 for shipping costs to Bulgaria plus import taxes. What would be a reasonable price for a same year/mileage/condition LX or LC if I were to buy it now in the USA?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Markuson]

If you assume you'll have to pay a similar shipping cost of $7000, then your seller is just about right.

To arrive at this opinion, I looked up LX 570's priced around $35000, to account for the additional $7000 shipping.

This is the first page of vehicles:

This tells me that he is close to what it would cost you.

I don't know what your import taxes are, but if they are substantial...it looks like that might be a decent price for your situation.

But the comparison also means you probably have options for many vehicles from the US.

I would suggest looking around on autolist.com, autotrader.com and other US used-car sales sites to look for yourself.

Mark

 

[kolyo]

Thank you, Mark for taking the time to research. If I were to buy a used car from a country outside the EU I'd have to pay 10% import tax plus $2000 if it was shipped from the US. So if I import a $33000 truck I'll have to pay $5300 extra. It works out some 3-4 thousand $ less this way but I have to risk buying sight unseen.

And another question: how safe is it to buy from a US dealers with a 4-star rating no Cargurus, for instance?

 

[Markuson]

Thank you, Mark for taking the time to research. If I were to buy a used car from a country outside the EU I'd have to pay 10% import tax plus $2000 if it was shipped from the US. So if I import a $33000 truck I'll have to pay $5300 extra. It works out some 3-4 thousand $ less this way but I have to risk buying sight unseen.

And another question: how safe is it to buy from a US dealers with a 4-star rating no Cargurus, for instance?

Personally I would not recommend buying from any dealer based only on their rating. You really need to know the individual vehicle's history and service records.

I would seek a person you trust to check out the vehicle for you in person before purchase. For me, I always have my very helpful Toyota service friend run Toyota VIN number to check for Toyota service records.

 

[Markuson]

@kolyo ,

Check your Inbox here on Mud.

I sent a search link to you that will automatically show you the same specific results I got based on $35000 max purchase price here.

Mark

 

[kolyo]

Thanks again for your advice, I'll listen to it.

I bought my 100-series LC sight unseen from a private individual in Switzerland but I guess I was lucky to see the truck arrive in Sofia 99% as described by the seller. I might risk doing the same if I have a strong hunch and the seller is not a dealer.

 

[Markuson]

Thanks again for your advice, I'll listen to it.

I bought my 100-series LC sight unseen from a private individual in Switzerland but I guess I was lucky to see the truck arrive in Sofia 99% as described by the seller. I might risk doing the same if I have a strong hunch and the seller is not a dealer.

I don't mean to imply that there are not trustworthy dealerships here... There are. You could most likely buy a used one from a Toyota or Lexus dealer, and they would surely check the service history and provide that to you. But you do need to be careful with any dealer, and especially with independent used car dealerships.

I am in Southern California in the San Diego city area. If there is something close by, I'd be willing to check it out for you.

 

[kolyo]

Very kind of you, thanks!!!

 

[kolyo]

I've calculated that it will be worthwhile to import a 200 LX if I could buy one for up to $31000. What year/mileage/condition should to expect to find for this kind of money in the US "rust free" belt regions?

 

[UCrazyKid]

There are 3rd party professionals that will do a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) of a vehicle for you at a very reasonable price. I bought a 2011 LX aight unseen from a dealer in Texas 2months ago and paid a guy $125 to do a thorough PPI. It all worked out very well. The truck has 99,250 miles and I paid $33k USD.

 

[JeffH]

I paid $32k for a 2010 with 76k miles back in November. One owner rust free from Las Vegas.

 

[kolyo]

Very useful information, thanks a lot

As a side question, is there enough room under the hood of the 200 for a Webasto heater. I intend to keep the one I got in my Hundy, it's very useful in winter, and kind to my 72-years-old bones

 

[Brembo355]

There are 3rd party professionals that will do a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) of a vehicle for you at a very reasonable price. I bought a 2011 LX aight unseen from a dealer in Texas 2months ago and paid a guy $125 to do a thorough PPI. It all worked out very well. The truck has 99,250 miles and I paid $33k USD.

Anyone have any experience (GOOD or BAD) with these services and have recommendations/contacts on who to use?

 

[UCrazyKid]

Anyone have any experience (GOOD or BAD) with these services and have recommendations/contacts on who to use?

I had a great experience with my PPI. The vehicle was in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and I used Used Car Detectives

 

[kolyo]

I had a great experience with my PPI. The vehicle was in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and I used Used Car Detectives

What did they charge?

Sorry, I just noticed their rates -- $125 for full inspection and pics.

 

[TonyP]

You can also post up here and a fellow mudder can get some unbiased eyes on the rig too.

 

[kolyo]

You can also post up here and a fellow mudder can get some unbiased eyes on the rig too.

Thanks! I continue to be amazed how helpful and useful this forum is

 

[kolyo]

@Markuson,

Please check your inbox.

Thanks

 

[Markuson]

@Markuson,

Please check your inbox.

Thanks

I’ll try calling for ya tomorrow.

 

[kolyo]

Much appreciated!